Dance Arena Home - Dance Arena ballet classes in Brighouse, Halifax & West Yorkshire

Discover the Dancer in You
Discover the Dancer in You
Go to content
Welcome to the Dance Arena Family

A leading RAD ballet, ISTD dance and multi-genre performing arts school, for all ages, based in Brighouse ,West Yorkshire.
The dance schools central location in Calderdale gives easy access from Halifax, Elland, Huddersfield and Bradford among many other places.
Discover our unique setting, where discipline and dedication sits side by side with free-flowing creativity, music, and artistic expression. Our classes are fun and inclusive that nurture both confidence and technique.  We are passionate about our teaching and strive to inspire our students to be the very best they can.
So, whether you are looking for an escape in your free time or aspire to be a professional dancer, immerse yourself at Dance Arena and discover the dancer in you.

 
“Dance from the heart and let the world disappear”.

Our Story

After a glittering professional dance career spanning over a decade, Principal and founder Gail Marsden left her international touring days behind to focus on choreography work in the UK.   Following huge successes for high profile TV shows and theatre, Gail was later drawn back to her hometown in Halifax to put her talents to good use.  

 
Far from hanging up her pointe shoes, Gail worked as a freelance dance teacher and opened the doors to her own ballet and stage school in 2000. Combining both professional and educational training, Gail’s ‘Dance Arena’ quickly gained momentum and became one of the most respected dance schools in West Yorkshire.
 
Fast forward 20 years, and Dance Arena continues to evolve to provide the highest standards in teaching for all dance styles we offer. In our latest commitment to excellence, Dance Arena has moved home to specially adapted studios in the heart of Brighouse. Designed specifically for ballet and performing arts teaching, these superb facilities further enhance the experience of all our dancers.  

 
We teach classes across the following disciplines: RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern Dance, ISTD Tap, Musical theatre classes, Pre-school Melody Movement, Adult tap and Adult Silver Swans. Students can also enjoy their own little taste of stardom in our theatre performances – that always promise an electric celebratory showcase of Dance Arena talent!  

 
So… if you or your child are ready to make new friends and leap into the world of Dance Arena, please feel free to Contact Us for a free trial and discuss any requirements.
Teachers
Gail Marsden
B.Phil. (Hons), LRAD, ARAD, RTS, AISTD Modern Dip, AISTD Tap, AISTD National
Principal and Teacher

I grew up in Halifax, training at Madam Ibbotson's and then at Dorothy Stevens until gaining a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London. While there I specialised in Classical Ballet and gained Advanced 2 and my LRAD. I also had the opportunity to dance lead roles in several RAD ballet productions.  Over the next ten years I danced professionally both in the UK and abroad. Commercially, I have danced on many high profile TV shows and prestigious cruise lines, where I gained a wealth of musical theatre knowledge.  Further accomplishments include forming and performing with my own dance group Dance Arena throughout the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.
I have also choreographed and danced in the popular Great Legends of Rock which included artistes from TV's Stars in their Eyes.  Although I still maintain my connections with the professional dance world, I have since concentrated totally on the teaching side.  I have worked in a freelance teaching capacity until opening my own school.  I have been invited to adjudicate several regional dance competitions.  I pride myself in knowing that I have consistently maintained a 100% pass rate in all student and student teacher examinations. I am now a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance and also act as a member of the CBTS program.


Emma Jane Louise Moss
BSC (Hons), CBTS RAD, RTS
Ballet Teacher

I first started dancing through the Calderdale Schools Creative Dance program at the age of five but discovered my passion for ballet after a trip to the Grand Theatre and Opera House, Leeds to see The Sleeping Beauty.  The astonishing beauty of the stage left such an impression that I was inspired to learn myself.

At the age of eight I started training with Miss Dorothy Emma Stevens, a highly skilled teacher and respected examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance and gained vocational examinations in RAD ballet, ISTD Tap and ISTD Modern Theatre Dance.  During this time I also had the opportunity to perform in professional pantomime which gave me experience of the work involved in professional productions and the highly competitive world of dance.

On completion of my dance studies with Miss Stevens I pursued a paramedical degree in Radiography at the university of Bradford.  This course of study provided me with an extensive knowledge in anatomy and physiology, and it is this additional knowledge that I bring to my dance teaching, enhancing the students understanding of dance kinesiology and safe dance practice.

In 2018 I qualified as a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating from the certificate in Ballet teaching Studies program.
Studios
We have now moved into our very own dedicated Studios at 4 West Park Street in Brighouse. The building has a lovely waiting area, changing room and several studios which are ideal for our needs.   We are really excited and can't wait to show you our new facilities.
Reception Area
The large reception area provides a light and airy meet and greet area and some where to sit and wait.  It is accessed from the main entrance, which is secured with a magnetic lock and press to exit system.  Older students who have classses in the evenings are given individual RFID access tags, which unlock the front door during the school operating hours.  This enables them to get into the studio quickly on those cold wet nights, while still providing a secure and safe environment for everyone.
Wet Hub
The wet hub area  has been installed for parents to make hot drinks while they wait.
Changing Rooms
Seperate female and male changing rooms are provided for students.
Studio 1
This is the largest studio in the building and is located upstairs.   It has dual aspect windows that can be opened to allow plenty of ventilation.  Harlequin dance floor has been fitted for student safety.
Studio 2
This studio is also located upstairs and is only slightly smaller than studio 1. Just like studio 1 it has dual aspect windows that can be opened for ventilation. It also has full length mirrors along one wall. This studio has a Harlequin cascade dance floor fitted.
Pre-School studio / Warm up room
This studio is downstairs and like the two main studios has a Harlequin dance floor fitted. This will be used for our smaller pre-school and Melody Bear classes. It will also be used as a warm up room for the senior students when Covid-19 regulations allow.

Covid19
In line with government advice Dance Arena has welcomed students back in September.
We have carried out a risk assessment and worked hard to ensure safety measures are in place to help control the spread of the virus.

If you feel unwell please contact us before coming to the studios.

This is unchartered territory. We are all learning as we go. Our pledge is to work with you to talk through all the issues and concerns to provide a safe working environment for all our people.  Information is constantly being updated and new guidance issued and we will continually monitor the situation to keep everyone safe.

Your cooperation is appreciated during these unprecedented times.
CONTACT US
Phone
Mobile:     07715 326729
contact us for dance lessons in brighouse
administration address for dance school
Correspondence Address
60 Pye Nest road
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX2 7HF
ballet studios near huddersfield
Studio Address
4 West Park Street,
Brighouse
West Yorkshire
HD6 1DU
location od school near halifax
SEND A MESSAGE




Back to content